Maritime Transport in Tanzanian Trade Policy: Legal Barriers and Reform Priorities

Maritime transport plays a crucial role in Tanzania's international trade; however, its full potential is hindered by legal and institutional challenges, despite the country’s strong coastal and port assets. This paper explores the interplay between maritime transport and trade policy in Tanzania, highlighting key legal constraints that hinder sectoral development. It identifies significant legal challenges, including regulatory inconsistencies, outdated legislation, weak enforcement mechanisms, and jurisdictional conflicts between mainland Tanzania and Zanzibar. These issues hinder trade efficiency, compliance with the international maritime conventions, and the protection of seafarers’ rights. The existing research primarily focuses on individual statutes, leaving a gap in understanding the harmonisation of Tanzania’s maritime laws and their alignment with global standards. This study aims to analyse the legal challenges affecting maritime transport in Tanzania’s international trade, compare the country’s regulatory framework with international best practices, and propose legal reforms to enhance governance and trade facilitation. By addressing these gaps, the research contributes policy recommendations that strengthen Tanzania’s maritime sector and improve its competitiveness in global trade. This study conducts an in-depth examination of Tanzania’s maritime laws, including the Merchant Shipping Act of 2003, the Maritime Transport Act of 2006, the Tanzania Ports Authority Act of 2004 and its Regulations, and relevant international conventions such as MARPOL, SOLAS, and the Djibouti Code of Conduct. A doctrinal research was employed to analyse statutory provisions and judicial decisions related to maritime transport disputes in Tanzania. This helps to identify inconsistencies and gaps in legal enforcement.